French artist JR is presenting two solo exhibitions in China: “La Vie en Mouvement” at Perrotin Shanghai and “Kaleidoscope” at Galleria Continua in Beijing. The shows feature works from the past two decades, including photographs of ballerinas in unexpected urban settings and an installation that appears to crack open the gallery wall to reveal a Summer Palace pavilion. In an interview, JR discussed how architecture shapes his images, his resistance to being labeled an activist, and his reflections on past projects in Shanghai’s now-vanished shantytowns.
This article matters because it highlights JR’s return to China after more than a decade, offering insight into his evolving practice and his engagement with local contexts. The dual exhibitions underscore the growing international presence of major galleries in China and the continued relevance of JR’s work in bridging art, architecture, and social commentary. His reflections on past projects in Shanghai also provide a poignant look at the city’s rapid transformation and the role of art in documenting lost communities.